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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/plcb4/

PLCB4 gene

phospholipase C beta 4

Normal Function

The PLCB4 gene provides instructions for making one form (the beta 4 isoform) of a protein called phospholipase C. This protein is involved in a signaling pathway within cells known as the phosphoinositide cycle, which helps transmit information from outside the cell to inside the cell. Phospholipase C carries out one particular step in the phosphoinositide cycle: the conversion of a molecule called phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to two smaller molecules, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and 1,2-diacylglycerol. These smaller molecules relay messages into the cell that ultimately influence many cell activities.

Studies suggest that the beta 4 isoform of phospholipase C contributes to the development of the first and second pharyngeal arches. These embryonic structures ultimately develop into the jawbones, facial muscles, middle ear bones, ear canals, outer ears, and related tissues. This protein is also thought to play a role in vision, particularly in the function of the retina, which is a specialized tissue at the back of the eye that detects light and color.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Auriculo-condylar syndrome

At least nine mutations in the PLCB4 gene have been found to cause auriculo-condylar syndrome, a disorder that primarily affects the development of the ears and lower jaw (mandible). The identified mutations change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the the beta 4 isoform of phospholipase C. These changes likely alter the structure of the protein and impair the phosphoinositide cycle. Abnormal signaling alters the formation of the lower jaw: instead of developing normally, the lower jaw becomes shaped more like the smaller upper jaw (maxilla). The abnormal shape leads to an unusually small chin (micrognathia) and problems with jaw function. Researchers are working to determine how mutations in this gene lead to the other developmental abnormalities associated with auriculo-condylar syndrome.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • 1-phosphatidyl-D-myo-inositol-4,5-bisphosphate
  • 1-phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate phosphodiesterase beta-4
  • ARCND2
  • dJ1119D9.2 (Phopholipase C, beta 4 (1-Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-Bisphosphate Phosphodiesterase Beta 4))
  • inositoltrisphosphohydrolase
  • monophosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase
  • phosphoinositidase C
  • phosphoinositide phospholipase C-beta-4
  • phospholipase C, beta 4
  • PI-PLC
  • PLC-beta-4
  • PLCB4_HUMAN
  • triphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Alvarez RA, Ghalayini AJ, Xu P, Hardcastle A, Bhattacharya S, Rao PN, Pettenati MJ, Anderson RE, Baehr W. cDNA sequence and gene locus of the human retinal phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase-C beta 4 (PLCB4). Genomics. 1995 Sep 1;29(1):53-61. doi: 10.1006/geno.1995.1214. Citation on PubMed
  • Gordon CT, Vuillot A, Marlin S, Gerkes E, Henderson A, AlKindy A, Holder-Espinasse M, Park SS, Omarjee A, Sanchis-Borja M, Bdira EB, Oufadem M, Sikkema-Raddatz B, Stewart A, Palmer R, McGowan R, Petit F, Delobel B, Speicher MR, Aurora P, Kilner D, Pellerin P, Simon M, Bonnefont JP, Tobias ES, Garcia-Minaur S, Bitner-Glindzicz M, Lindholm P, Meijer BA, Abadie V, Denoyelle F, Vazquez MP, Rotky-Fast C, Couloigner V, Pierrot S, Manach Y, Breton S, Hendriks YM, Munnich A, Jakobsen L, Kroisel P, Lin A, Kaban LB, Basel-Vanagaite L, Wilson L, Cunningham ML, Lyonnet S, Amiel J. Heterogeneity of mutational mechanisms and modes of inheritance in auriculocondylar syndrome. J Med Genet. 2013 Mar;50(3):174-86. doi: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2012-101331. Epub 2013 Jan 12. Citation on PubMed
  • Rieder MJ, Green GE, Park SS, Stamper BD, Gordon CT, Johnson JM, Cunniff CM, Smith JD, Emery SB, Lyonnet S, Amiel J, Holder M, Heggie AA, Bamshad MJ, Nickerson DA, Cox TC, Hing AV, Horst JA, Cunningham ML. A human homeotic transformation resulting from mutations in PLCB4 and GNAI3 causes auriculocondylar syndrome. Am J Hum Genet. 2012 May 4;90(5):907-14. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2012.04.002. Erratum In: Am J Hum Genet. 2012 Aug 10;91(2):397. Am J Hum Genet. 2012 Jun 8;90(6):1116. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Vines CM. Phospholipase C. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2012;740:235-54. doi: 10.1007/978-94-007-2888-2_10. Citation on PubMed

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.